Thatchers has launched the earliest apple harvest in its 122-year history after experiencing a challenging summer marked by unprecedented heatwaves.
Martin Thatcher, managing director of the renowned Somerset cider farm at Sandford, described the 2026 summer heat as “devastating” for many traditional orchards. However, he emphasised that his family had proactively “planted for the future” to cultivate a hardier crop capable of withstanding such conditions.
Despite the smaller size of this year’s apples, due to weather impacts, Martin spoke positively about their quality and sweetness, although the crop yield is expected to be slightly reduced given the early timing of the harvest.
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He explained: “Harvest has always been one of the most special times of year at Myrtle Farm, when the fruit we’ve spent the year caring for is finally picked and pressed.
“The recent hot weather has certainly influenced the timing of this year’s harvest, but it’s just one factor in a much larger picture. Our family has spent generations understanding how our orchards respond to various seasons and conditions, always working to future-proof our orchards for the farming generations ahead.
“This year’s heat has been challenging. The apples are a bit smaller but packed with flavour and sweetness. Ultimately, it’s the fruit’s readiness, not a fixed date, that dictates when we begin harvest.”
Last year marked the earliest recorded harvest, but this summer’s harvest is anticipated to begin and finish even earlier, with completion expected by mid-November-approximately six weeks sooner than harvests 30 years ago.
Historical records and family recollections from the Thatcher orchards reveal a notable shift in harvest timing. In the 1990s, apples were commonly harvested and pressed into late autumn and near Christmas, while earlier generations remembered even later seasons.
Thatchers is adopting a long-term strategy by trialling various apple varieties to determine which will thrive in future orchard conditions, noting that establishing a new orchard can take up to a decade from planning to fruit-bearing. Their regenerative farming methods involve transforming soil nutrients over at least three years to provide the best possible start for apple trees.
Currently, Myrtle Farm boasts the UK’s largest collection of cider apple varieties with 458 types in their exhibition orchard. In addition, 40 acres are dedicated to trials of approximately 100 other varieties being evaluated for resilience to climate change, disease resistance, growth potential, yield, and flavour retention.
Martin works alongside his father, John Thatcher-a third-generation cider maker-and his daughter, Eleanor Thatcher, representing the farm’s fifth generation.
He reflected: “When my great-grandfather planted apple trees here, he couldn’t have foreseen the conditions future generations would face - recent heatwaves have been devastating for many cider farmers reliant on older orchard varieties.
“Yet he planted with future generations in mind, as every generation has done since. Among the varieties we are trialling now may be those that future cider makers depend upon. Our responsibility is to apply over a century of knowledge and ongoing research to give the next generation of orchards the best possible start.”
Thatchers also collaborates closely with 27 apple growers across the South West and Herefordshire, offering 20-year contracts. These partnerships aim to provide long-term certainty and support for British farming families establishing their own orchards.
Richard Johnson, Thatchers' head cider maker, oversees continual observation and testing of apple readiness.
He noted: “Katy apples, traditionally the first of the harvest, have a notably short picking window. This year’s fruit is smaller due to the prolonged heat, but the sunshine has enhanced their sweetness and flavour, meeting our expectations.
“The shift in harvest timing has slightly reduced yields but has not compromised quality. Our approach is to respond to the fruit’s condition and harvest it at its best.”